VoyageurQuest F.A.Q.
Q. I run quite a bit, but I haven’t done any ultramarathon running or marathons. Is there any chance I can complete this race?
A. Yes, you definitely can! If you’re fit and can hike at a good pace and run a little, you can complete the stages in this race. Having desire, determination and a good level of fitness are all you need. Without a large pack, a person can pretty easily walk 20+ miles in a day. Throw in a little running, and you’re there! Be sure to prepare yourself by running as much as you can and also finding some trails to hike and run.
Q. So, if I have to walk quite a bit of the course I can still participate?
A. Absolutely no problem with walking. To complete this race, you don’t need to run the whole way, in fact even the winners will be walking quite a bit during the race. Given the terrain, we would expect most competitors to do a significant amount of walking.Daily time limits will be generous to allow all who have the will to complete the race the opportunity to get to the end.
Q. Will the route be entirely on trail?
A. For the most part, yes. Almost the entire route will be on singletrack trail. There will be a few sections of gravel road and some pavement when crossing parking lots, but other than that the route will be entirely rough, rocky, rooty singletrack trail. Be prepared for a rugged trail that will keep you focused and interested.
Q. What is the terrain like?
A. The route is entirely off-road on narrow singletrack trails. There is a lot of up and down with some fairly long climbs and descents. In a word, the terrain is rugged. You will run along ridgelines, clifftops, river gorges and through heavily forested hillsides. The trail tread will often be strewn with rocks and roots. Be prepared for a rugged but very fun and interesting course.
Q. How long is the route?
A. The route will generally be between 75 and 110 miles depending on the course and route chosen. Most stage races will be 3 to 5 days in length.
Q. How long is each day?
A. Days will generally be between 15 and 30 miles. Some races may have longer days depending on the route chosen. If there is a prologue or time trial involved in a race, it will generally be much shorter. Some prologues are as short as 1 mile.
Q. Do I need to have a compass or be a good navigator?
A. For most races a compass is not needed. As long as you don’t get off course and get lost, you won’t need a compass. Having basic map reading skills will be necessary. As long as you know which direction you’re headed and know where the road crossings, checkpoints and start and finish areas are on a map, you’ll be just fine. Races will follow a clearly designated trail which will be easy to trace.
Q. Is the route marked? Can I possibly get lost?
A. Our routes follow designated, signed and marked long-distance trails. If you pay attention to the trail signs and markings, you shouldn’t get lost. It’s really a matter of being vigilant and paying attention. Sure you could get lost if you’re not paying attention, but if you’re running and you don’t see a trail marker or sign for a while, you might be off-route. Where the route leaves the designated, signed trail, we will have additional flagging directing you. You will be notified of these areas at pre-race briefings.
Q. Will I get eaten by a wolf or trampled by a moose?
A. Most likely not, but you might see one along the trail. In some of the more remote sections of the course, you might be more likely to see a moose or wolf than another person. Just remember, the wildlife you see along the trail is most likely more afraid of you than you are of them.
Q. When does the race start each day?
A. That will depend on the length of the days stage, but most stages will start around 7:00 a.m. Some longer stages may start earlier.
Q. What about our meals?
A. Runners will be responsible for preparing their own food during the event. In group campsites, water will be accessible or provided. Runners will also have the option of dining in local restaurants during the race. Transportation to nearby dining facilities will be the runners responsibility. All food, other than that used during the stage, will be transported each day by race management
Q. Where do we stay each night?
A. Runners will have the option of camping or staying at local lodging facilities each night. Most stages will start and end at or very near a camping location like a park, campground, community center, field or school. Group campsites will be provided for most stages. Runners who choose to camp must provide their own tent and sleeping kit which will be transported to the end of each stage by race management. If a group campsite is located some distance from the end of the stage, race management will transport all runners to the evenings camping location. It will be the runners responsibility to find transportation to local lodging facilities other than that provided by race management.
There are benefits to each strategy. Choosing to stay at the group campsite would involve less travel, more time to prepare for the next stage, no need for a crew and more time to sleep. Traveling off-site to a lodging facility would allow the opportunity to sleep in a soft bed, more dining opportunities and a shower every day.
Q. Speaking of showers, if we stay in the group camp, will they be available?
A. Most group camps will have some sort of shower or running water available for daily clean up.
Q. I run quite a bit, but I haven’t done any ultramarathon running or marathons. Is there any chance I can complete this race?
A. Yes, you definitely can! If you’re fit and can hike at a good pace and run a little, you can complete the stages in this race. Having desire, determination and a good level of fitness are all you need. Without a large pack, a person can pretty easily walk 20+ miles in a day. Throw in a little running, and you’re there! Be sure to prepare yourself by running as much as you can and also finding some trails to hike and run.
Q. So, if I have to walk quite a bit of the course I can still participate?
A. Absolutely no problem with walking. To complete this race, you don’t need to run the whole way, in fact even the winners will be walking quite a bit during the race. Given the terrain, we would expect most competitors to do a significant amount of walking.Daily time limits will be generous to allow all who have the will to complete the race the opportunity to get to the end.
Q. Will the route be entirely on trail?
A. For the most part, yes. Almost the entire route will be on singletrack trail. There will be a few sections of gravel road and some pavement when crossing parking lots, but other than that the route will be entirely rough, rocky, rooty singletrack trail. Be prepared for a rugged trail that will keep you focused and interested.
Q. What is the terrain like?
A. The route is entirely off-road on narrow singletrack trails. There is a lot of up and down with some fairly long climbs and descents. In a word, the terrain is rugged. You will run along ridgelines, clifftops, river gorges and through heavily forested hillsides. The trail tread will often be strewn with rocks and roots. Be prepared for a rugged but very fun and interesting course.
Q. How long is the route?
A. The route will generally be between 75 and 110 miles depending on the course and route chosen. Most stage races will be 3 to 5 days in length.
Q. How long is each day?
A. Days will generally be between 15 and 30 miles. Some races may have longer days depending on the route chosen. If there is a prologue or time trial involved in a race, it will generally be much shorter. Some prologues are as short as 1 mile.
Q. Do I need to have a compass or be a good navigator?
A. For most races a compass is not needed. As long as you don’t get off course and get lost, you won’t need a compass. Having basic map reading skills will be necessary. As long as you know which direction you’re headed and know where the road crossings, checkpoints and start and finish areas are on a map, you’ll be just fine. Races will follow a clearly designated trail which will be easy to trace.
Q. Is the route marked? Can I possibly get lost?
A. Our routes follow designated, signed and marked long-distance trails. If you pay attention to the trail signs and markings, you shouldn’t get lost. It’s really a matter of being vigilant and paying attention. Sure you could get lost if you’re not paying attention, but if you’re running and you don’t see a trail marker or sign for a while, you might be off-route. Where the route leaves the designated, signed trail, we will have additional flagging directing you. You will be notified of these areas at pre-race briefings.
Q. Will I get eaten by a wolf or trampled by a moose?
A. Most likely not, but you might see one along the trail. In some of the more remote sections of the course, you might be more likely to see a moose or wolf than another person. Just remember, the wildlife you see along the trail is most likely more afraid of you than you are of them.
Q. When does the race start each day?
A. That will depend on the length of the days stage, but most stages will start around 7:00 a.m. Some longer stages may start earlier.
Q. What about our meals?
A. Runners will be responsible for preparing their own food during the event. In group campsites, water will be accessible or provided. Runners will also have the option of dining in local restaurants during the race. Transportation to nearby dining facilities will be the runners responsibility. All food, other than that used during the stage, will be transported each day by race management
Q. Where do we stay each night?
A. Runners will have the option of camping or staying at local lodging facilities each night. Most stages will start and end at or very near a camping location like a park, campground, community center, field or school. Group campsites will be provided for most stages. Runners who choose to camp must provide their own tent and sleeping kit which will be transported to the end of each stage by race management. If a group campsite is located some distance from the end of the stage, race management will transport all runners to the evenings camping location. It will be the runners responsibility to find transportation to local lodging facilities other than that provided by race management.
There are benefits to each strategy. Choosing to stay at the group campsite would involve less travel, more time to prepare for the next stage, no need for a crew and more time to sleep. Traveling off-site to a lodging facility would allow the opportunity to sleep in a soft bed, more dining opportunities and a shower every day.
Q. Speaking of showers, if we stay in the group camp, will they be available?
A. Most group camps will have some sort of shower or running water available for daily clean up.